davis
Early in the text, Davis describes the mustache as a trapdoor, and it’s this implication of functionality and utility (and the inherent mystery in trapdoors) that allows Davis to write and re-write the story of this mustache. He tells us of the mustache’s childhood, of the mustache’s formative years, of its doubts and fears. The personal troubles of this personified patch of lip hair often mirror those of the Führer, but are also benign, even commonplace. The mustache is concerned with art and love. He’s insecure and sometimes jealous. He sees a beard and wonders, “Why didn’t I think of that?”